Rhythmic layering in the apatite (-magnetite) deposit in the Fanshan complex, north China

The Fanshan complex consists of three (First- to Third-) Phases of intrusion. The First-Phase Intrusive is composed of rhythmic layers. The Fanshan apatite (-magnetite) deposit is situated near the top of no. 6 rhythmic Unit of the First-Phase Intrusive. Two sketch maps were drawn through the deposit along no. 25 cross-cut on 425 mL and no. I crosscut on 491 mL in the Fanshan mine. Through this mapping, a small-scaled rhythmic layering (called sub-rhythmic layering) was newly found. The sub-rhythmic layering consists of five typical rocks: biotite clinopyroxenite, biotite rock, biotiteapatite rock, alternation biotite-apatite rock and apatite rock. The thickness of layers varies from four millimeters to several meters. Six units of sub-rhythmic layering were distinguished. Each unit consists of biotite clinopyroxenite (or biotite rock and biotite-apatite rock) layer at the bottom and apatite rock layer at the top. Major element compositions of biotite and clinopyroxene were analyzed. The trends of Mg/(Mg+Fe*+Mn) atomic ratio (Fe*: total iron) of biotite and clinopyroxene indicate that the magma evolved markedly from relatively magnesian bottom layer to less magnesian top layer in each sub-rhythmic unit. A general trend, however, through the whole sub-rhythmic layering sequence shows that the both minerals become relatively magnesian upwards. The hypotheses of liquid immiscibility, gravitational settling and magma mixing are against with the results obtained in the present study. This study suggests that the apatite (-magnetite) deposit is formed through fractional crystallization process.